Community Engagement & Leadership Program Coordinator

Do Work That Matters

Community Engagement & Leadership (CEL) is a department focused on inspiring, nourishing, and mobilizing students to enact leadership that strengthens communities through learning, service, advocacy, and action. CEL utilizes a critical lens and authentic, reciprocal partnerships with community-based organizations to provide compelling, applied learning opportunities for students. Learn more about our approach to community engagement and leadership. CEL is one department within Student Experiences & Engagement (SEE). Imagine a better world. Make it happen. 

Student Experiences & Engagement (SEE) is an experiential learning and student development organization within the Division of Student Affairs at Oregon State University committed to co-creating dynamic opportunities for students to explore meaningful involvement, strengthen their leadership skills, and transform themselves and their communities. SEE programs and services include community building, social justice, student media, creative expression, service-learning, clubs and organizations, and social, educational, and culturally relevant programs. To learn more about what guides SEE’s work and 2024 goals visit our vision, mission, values, and protocols page. A commitment to social justice, equity, and inclusion is foundational to SEE's mission, values, and protocols.

Oregon State University (OSU) is an internationally recognized public land-grant research university committed to valuing student success, advancing and disseminating knowledge, and serving the people and state of Oregon and beyond. A couple of the focus areas in OSU's most recent strategic plan focuses on transformative learning and building a welcoming and more inclusive community. Oregon State University has an institution-wide commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and community. We provide outstanding leadership opportunities for people interested in promoting and enhancing diversity, nurturing creativity, and building community. Located 90 minutes south of Portland, Corvallis is consistently ranked as one of the best college towns in the U.S., as well as one of the safest, smartest and greenest small cities.

We are seeking a Program Coordinator, a self-starting, dynamic professional experienced in working with multifaceted teams, who can amplify community engagement and leadership as a critical component of the student experience at OSU. This is a full-time (1.0 FTE), 12-month, in-person, professional faculty position. The anticipated starting salary range is $48,000 - $55,000. The position will join the CEL and SEE team. SEE is made up of 4 departments/15 units, 26+ full time staff and 400+ student employees. CEL is made up of 4 full time staff and 12-20 student employees.

Reporting to the Director of Community Engagement & Leadership, the Program Coordinator will be responsible for growing and strengthening the following programming and services: 

Dialogic and story-based programming Political engagement, voter registration, and advocacy programming Campus outreach and promotion efforts Student consultations Recognition and celebration initiatives for student social change leadership efforts

The successful candidate will play an integral role in building and engaging OSU’s diverse student body, growing our student users and participants, and creating programs and services that will enhance CEL’s impact. The position will support students in realizing and tapping into their leadership potential, talents, and gifts in service of positive change. 

OSU offers excellent benefits that include health, dental, and vision plans, retirement benefits, tuition reduction, educational opportunities, health and wellness resources and opportunities, and more. Additional opportunities include dynamic professional development opportunities and being able to work effectively within an higher education context with diverse populations and stakeholders. SEE and CEL are committed to a culture of learning and professional growth. 

This position is one of three full-time Program Coordinators in CEL. Each Program Coordinator is responsible for supervising a student staff team and delivering a portfolio of community engagement and leadership programs and services. This position is an integral part of the CEL professional staff team.

CEL formed as a department in 2019 and brought together separate units working on leadership development, civic engagement, and sustainability education for students. We have been building our foundation and are ready to have our new colleague join the team so we can leverage new strengths, scale up our offerings, and grow our capacity to have a greater impact for students and community. This is an exciting time to join CEL and the SEE organization. Come work with us. Now is the time for you to make a difference. Apply today!

What We Need You to Be

Inspired to build and contribute to equitable, caring, thriving communities. A relational leader who loves to collaborate and build partnerships with diverse constituencies. Passionate and curious about student empowerment and leadership development, dialogue, and political engagement. Actively engaged in and motivated to learn about equity and social justice issues. Able to be self-directed and work independently. Detail and process-oriented. Comfortable and effective in a fast-paced environment running multiple complex projects. Open to feedback and learning from the team. Committed to intentional and thoughtful program design.

How You’ll Contribute

Develop and deliver a portfolio of community engagement and leadership programs and services, including dialogic and political engagement programming, and outreach and promotion services. Elevate social change leadership efforts at OSU. Supervise, manage, and train student staff. Build and strengthen campus partnerships that increase student engagement with CEL. Create new or adjust existing services to align with community needs and student interests. Integrate equity, diversity, and inclusive practices into leadership and community engagement programming and services.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent continuing education or professional development in Education, Sociology, Ethnic Studies, Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, Political Science, Public Policy, Peace Studies, Psychology or other field relevant to position duties OR four years professional full-time equivalency gaining relevant knowledge, skills, and abilities pertaining to the position. Demonstrated commitment to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion in professional, applied, or community settings Demonstrated ability to develop working relationships and collaborations with diverse communities using emotional intelligence and humility Demonstrated ability to design, lead, facilitate, and coordinate educational events, programs, opportunities, spaces, or resources Demonstrated experience with advising or supervising students, employees, or peers using  a supportive and developmental approach Demonstrated effective verbal and written communication skills Demonstrated ability to utilize critical thinking and problem solving-skills to make complex and collaborative decisions

Preferred Qualifications

Master's Degree in a field appropriate to the area of assignment (Student Affairs, Educational Leadership, Higher Education, Sociology, Public Policy, Ethnic Studies, Peace Studies, Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, Counseling, etc.) Demonstrated experience facilitating dialogue and dialogic processes  Demonstrated knowledge of student development practice or adult learning theory Demonstrated knowledge of civic/community engagement or leadership theory, frameworks, and program models Demonstrated leadership in advancing diversity, equity and inclusion in professional settings Demonstrated experience with curriculum development or developing trainings Demonstrated experience with managing group dynamics, establishing performance and behavior expectations, and providing support for individual- and team-based goals Demonstrated experience with assessment and evaluation of programs and events Demonstrated experience with website and/or social media management Demonstrated experience working in a higher education setting Demonstrated experience building and maintaining working partnerships (e.g. across campus units, with community organizations, etc.)   Demonstrated experience with budget management Demonstrated ability to learn new technological systems and tools (e.g. Microsoft Teams, Google Workspace, Ideal-Logic)

Apply online (Posting # P05101UF) and include a resume, cover letter, diversity statement, and contact information for three professional references. Full consideration date: Monday, January 31, 2022.  The position closes on Monday, February 14th, though the final closing date is subject to change based on when a sufficient applicant pool is achieved or the position is filled.

For additional information please contact search chair, Kelly McElroy, at Kelly.McElroy@oregonstate.edu  or 541-737-3495.

OSU is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer, and particularly encourages applications from members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQ+ community members, and others who demonstrate the ability to help us achieve our vision of a diverse and inclusive community.